Reserve goalkeeper Joe Abbott put on a brave face hours after hearing that his father had died while the FA Vase winners were away preparing for Sunday's Wembley triumph.
Only child Joe, 19, was told yesterday morning just before the squad set off home from their three-night Luton base.
"Dad had been ill for a while and we knew this was coming but didn't expect it just yet," said Joe, whose dad Terry was in his 60s.
"It happened on Saturday night but mum couldn't contact me because my phone was switched off. Probably it was as well, otherwise it may well have affected me at the final."
He was given the sad news by Kirkham's goalkeeping coach Neil Mitchell.
"I heard at our celebration dinner on Sunday night and contacted Joe's mum, who was happy for me to tell him. I'm his friend as well as his coach," said Neil.
"Our regular goalkeeper Peter Summerfield was very supportive, because we are a unit."
Abbott, who played for Blackpool reserves and youth team, was the sub keeper at Wembley but didn't get on.